Try GOLD - Free
Pope Francis’ ordinary shoes bring pride to his Argentine neighborhood — and his cobbler
Manila Bulletin
|April 28, 2025
The man who would become Pope Francis always bought his shoes in the same small store.

And now, the remarkably ordinary footwear that surprised and charmed millions has brought pride to his old Buenos Aires neighborhood — and his cobbler.
The simple black shoes — a stark contrast to the flashy ruby red slippers of Francis' predecessor, former Pope Benedict XVI — are among the pope's personal effects that have captured attention as his death this week triggers an outpouring of emotion around the Roman Catholic world.
The seemingly comfortable loafers offer a powerful reminder of Francis' humility, simplicity and lack of ceremony that helped him relate to ordinary people wherever he went.
A third-generation cobbler
The Muglia family men were the first cobblers in the middle-class Flores neighborhood of western Buenos Aires. Their shop, Muglia Shoes, opened in 1945, just a few years after Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio to Italian immigrant parents.
There wasn't much competition, so when a young Bergoglio came in to buy shoes, it was Juan Jose Muglia's grandfather who sold him the first pair. Bergoglio was in his 20s then, serving as a Jesuit priest at the Basilica of San José de Flores just around the block.
"My father, my grandfather, they told me stories about how Father Jorge came from the church around the corner to buy these shoes, they were the ones he liked, he wore them all the time," Muglia, 52, told The Associated Press on Thursday.
This story is from the April 28, 2025 edition of Manila Bulletin.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Manila Bulletin
Manila Bulletin
Mayor Isko says Manila to produce more doctors as PLM tops 2025 Physician Licensure exams
Manila Mayor Francisco \"Isko Moreno\" Domagoso on Friday, Oct. 17, commended the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) for being the top-performing school in the 2025 Physician Licensure Examination after 104 out of 105 of its examinees passed the test, earning for the university an outstanding 99.05 percent passing rate from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
1 min
October 18, 2025
Manila Bulletin
PCG, US launch 140-M program to boost maritime law enforcement
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and United States government launched on Friday, Oct. 17, a P140-million program which seeks to strengthen the operational readiness and capacity for maritime law enforcement of the Coast Guard Fleet.
1 mins
October 18, 2025
Manila Bulletin
Diesel, kerosene prices set for rollback next week
Motorists who have been facing weekly price hikes at the gas pumps, may finally experience a long-awaited relief.
2 mins
October 18, 2025
Manila Bulletin
DOH expands probe to DPWH-built centers
The Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), is expanding its investigation into the implementation of Super Health Centers (SHCs), including projects implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
2 mins
October 18, 2025

Manila Bulletin
'Rescue Kitchen' turns food waste into hope for the hungry
Every time we bite into a juicy burger, do we ever stop to think how lucky we are that we are not one of the millions who go to bed hungry? It’s ironic, isn’t it? While so many struggle to find their next meal, the world continues to battle the problem of food waste.
3 mins
October 18, 2025

Manila Bulletin
Manila councilor accused of sexual harassment suspended for 60 days
Manila 4th District Councilor Ryan Ponce was suspended by the Manila City Council following its investigation on the sexual harassment allegations made by 4th District Councilor Eunice Castro against him last Oct. 9.
1 min
October 18, 2025
Manila Bulletin
US prosecutors charge Smartmatic in alleged $1M Philippine bribery case
Federal prosecutors have charged voting technology firm Smartmatic with money laundering and other crimes arising from more than $1 million in bribes that several executives allegedly paid to election officials in the Philippines.
2 mins
October 18, 2025
Manila Bulletin
Hopia like it
Mooncake, anyone? Under the lunar cal- endar, the August Moon L Festival happened last Oct. 6, a Monday. But as long as there’s a moon and mooncakes to share, you may still enjoy your mooncake, when- ever and wherever.
1 mins
October 18, 2025
Manila Bulletin
PH tops ASEAN in nuclear readiness
While other countries still hesitate when it comes to nuclear energy, the Philippines is one of the two countries in the ASEAN region that is a frontrunner in nuclear integration.
2 mins
October 18, 2025
Manila Bulletin
Expect heavy rains in Luzon, Eastern Visayas as 'Ramil' makes landfall
Tropical Depression Ramil is expected to bring widespread rains and strong winds over parts of Luzon and Eastern Visayas as it traverses the country this weekend, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday, Oct. 17.
1 mins
October 18, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size